Sacramento police identify officers involved in recent shootings

The Sacramento Police Department recently released the names of three officers involved in two recent shootings.

On June 19, Officer Matt Nichols, a 14-year veteran, fatally shot Paul West, 37, after he ran from officers who tried to contact him in East Del Paso Heights. While close to one of the officers, West then produced a knife in a “threatening manner,” and Nichols fired, according to police.

On June 21, officers Nick Tavelli and Edward Macaulay fatally shot Jose Cardenas Beltran, 22, after he allegedly threatened to kill a family member with a butcher knife. When confronted by officers near Cold Creek Way, Beltran refused to obey officers’ commands and appeared to try to throw the knife at them, prompting officers to fire. Tavelli is a 10-year veteran and Macauley a 7-year veteran.

Both shootings are still under review by the District Attorney’s office.